FULTON, Mo. — Growing up in a small-town Missouri, softball was more than just a sport for William Woods pitcher Taylor Baumhoer. It was a passion fostered by her family, developed through years of hard work and shaped by a pitching coach who saw something special in her. 

Now entering her junior season with the Owls, the Fatima High School graduate has established herself as one of the best pitchers in the country, combining a competitive mentality with a deep appreciation for the people who have helped her along the way. 

For Baumhoer, the decision to attend William Woods was about more than softball. Growing up in Bonnots Mill, just a short 40-minute drive from campus, she was familiar with the area. However, it was the university's close-knit atmosphere and connection to her hometown that ultimately made it feel like home. 

"I like knowing the people I'm around," Baumhoer said. "William Woods is a lot like Fatima, or if Fatima was a college at least. I know it sounds crazy, but it genuinely feels that way." 

Having attended a small high school where teachers knew her personally, she wanted to find that same sense of community in college. After visiting several schools, William Woods stood out for its smaller campus, accessible faculty and welcoming environment. 

Softball also played a significant role in bringing her to Fulton. Her high school success caught the attention of newly announced Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Head Coach Tracy Gastineau, who was among the first college coaches to reach out to her. 

However, her development as a pitcher began long before she arrived at William Woods. 

Growing up, Baumhoer worked with Bill Creede, a well-known pitching instructor in the area who had helped develop several successful pitchers, including former William Woods standout Mackenzie Bowden. Creede, who had worked with Gastineau throughout her coaching career, took on Baumhoer as his final pitching project. 

The opportunity to learn from someone with such a history of developing successful pitchers became an important part of her journey. 

"I would say it definitely drives me," she said. "I see that success that his former athletes, like Bowden, have achieved. And I want to live up to that." 

That motivation has followed her to William Woods, where she has continued to develop into one of the program's leading pitchers. 

A New Level of Competition

After a successful freshman season, Baumhoer faced a new challenge during her sophomore campaign. Woods transitioned into the Heart of America Athletic Conference, bringing a different level of competition and a new set of opponents for both Bauhoer and the Owls. 

Despite the adjustment, she put together an impressive season, recording a 1.50 ERA while establishing herself as a forced to be reckoned inside the Heart. 

She also embraced the responsibility of becoming a more prominent presence in the pitching rotation. As a freshman, she shared the workload with another pitcher. By her sophomore season, she was increasingly relied upon to lead the Owls from the circle as the team ace. 

That responsibility became particularly evident during the conference tournament, when she pitched four games over two days, throwing 300+ pitches. 

Although the workload was demanding, she welcomed the opportunity to help her teammates. 

"Knowing that my team can rely on me feels good," she said. 

Her sophomore season also featured some of the program's most memorable victories, including a home sweep of nationally ranked Missouri Baptist. 

For Baumhoer, those moments represent some of the most rewarding parts of playing college softball. 

"Those are moments I wish I could bottle up and open on a bad day," she said. "You can't recreate that feeling." 

The victory over Missouri Baptist was particularly meaningful, as the Owls demonstrated their ability to compete against one of the top programs in the country. 

Trust in the Circle 

While pitching is often viewed as an individual position, Baumhoer understands that success in the circle depends heavily on the people around her. 

One of those people is catcher Ella Aguiar, who has developed a strong battery relationship with the right-hander. Their friendship has helped create an environment where honest communication comes naturally. 

Whether it is a pitch that is not breaking correctly or a fastball missing its intended location, she appreciates having a catcher who is willing to speak up. 

"Pitchers will always tell catchers, if something's not working, I need you to tell me," she said. "Ella's not scared to tell me, 'Hey, your curveball' looks bad today.'" 

That trust extends beyond the battery. Her close friendships with teammates, including gold-glove first baseman Addie Rhea, have helped make the team feel like a family. 

Having teammates, she can depend on defensively allows her to focus on the task at hand, knowing that she has support behind her. 

That same sense of community was one of the reasons she chose William Woods in the first place. 

A Family Behind the Journey 

Long before she became a collegiate pitcher, Baumhoer developed her love for sports at home. 

A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, she credits her father with sparking her passion for baseball. Growing up in a baseball-loving household, she developed an appreciation for the game that eventually carried over into softball. 

Her parents played an important role in her development, supporting her throughout years of practices, tournaments and the exhausting travel ball schedule. 

Her mother frequently drove her to practices and competitions, even spending time behind the plate during bullpens. Her father, meanwhile, shared his love of baseball while recognizing that softball pitching was a different discipline. 

Rather than trying to coach her on every aspect of the game, her parents provided consistent encouragement and support. 

"They've always been nothing but supportive," she said. "My dad definitely ignited the love for the game in me, but my mom was always my rock." 

The commitment from her family helped her reach the collegiate level, something she does not take for granted. 

She also credits her parents with helping her maintain her passion for the game, even through the challenges that come with the nature of the game. 

Their support remains one of her biggest motivations. 

Beyond the Diamond 

Although softball occupies a significant part of her life, Baumhoer has interests that extend well beyond the field. 

An avid reader, she grew up reading the Harry Potter series and considers herself a book snob. She also has a passion for rock and metal music, a taste she developed growing up alongside her older brother. 

Her pregame routine reflects that musical background. Before arriving at the field, she often listens to heavy metal music to get herself in her gameday place of mind. 

Once she reaches the ballpark, however, her preparation becomes a little more particular. 

Like most diamond sports stars, Baumhoer is a self-proclaimed as a very superstitious player. Because of this, she follows a detailed routine before every game. From where she places her equipment in the dugout to the order of her warmup pitches, she prefers to keep things consistent. 

She even has specific traditions involving her teammates, including having senior outfielder Mariah Prince stand to her right in the pitching circle. 

Her routines may seem unusual to some, but they provide a sense of familiarity before stepping into the spotlight that is the pitching circle. 

Looking Ahead 

As she continues her collegiate career, Baumhoer remains motivated by the opportunity to build on her success and contribute to the WWU Softball program and its storied history. 

Her journey from a small Missouri town to becoming a prominent pitcher in the Heart has been shaped by the people around her, from her family and longtime pitching coach to her teammates and coaches at The Woods. 

The lessons she has learned through injuries, challenging games, and memorable victories have helped her foster a deeper love for the sport. 

And while she continues to pursue success in the circle, she remains grounded in the relationships and experiences that brought her to Fulton. 

William Woods has become more than just the next step in her softball career. It has become another place where she can rely on the people around her while continuing to chase her goals.... Her home away from home.